Supreme Court Takes Action in Kolkata Doctor Case

The Supreme Court of India has stepped in to address the alarming case of a 31-year-old resident doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered in Kolkata. This incident has ignited a firestorm of outrage across the country, spurring medical professionals to hold widespread protests.

On Sunday, a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud decided to take suo motu cognizance of the tragic events surrounding the doctor’s death on August 9 at a seminar hall of a state-run hospital. The Supreme Court is set to hear the case on August 20.

This move follows a nationwide strike organized by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in response to the event. The strike, which lasted for 24 hours, saw doctors across the country withdraw routine outpatient services and elective surgeries, while ensuring essential services remained unaffected.

Despite the IMA’s strike ending early Sunday morning, many resident doctors in various states continue their protests for the seventh day in a row. They believe proper safety measures for healthcare professionals have not been adequately addressed.

In the government’s defense, the Ministry of Health recently announced plans to create a committee focused on enhancing safety for medical staff. However, the doctors have expressed their dissatisfaction, stating that previous committees have failed to produce meaningful results.

In Kolkata, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been busy interrogating key individuals connected to the case, including the former principal of R G Kar Medical College, Sandip Ghosh. He has been questioned for three consecutive days regarding his phone calls around the time of the incident.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has also stepped in, asking state police to regularly report on the situation amidst ongoing protests, with a focus on maintaining law and order. This shows just how seriously the situation is being monitored by the authorities.